Wootten is in Chile, so report given by Carilli.
Constructions is going great-guns. There are over 300 people at OSF.
Testing continues at ATF, and at front-end integration center.
Chilean staff are visiting ATF.
Director of Scientific Operations was hired, Dr. Nyman previously of
APEX and SEST. He was selected from about 5 excellent candidates.
Interviews were held of about 5 excellent project scientist candidates
in Madrid. Selection and start should be in next few months.
Generally, applications for these kinds of positions have increased,
as the project approaches reality.
3) Impressions from Madrid -- Williams + any attendees
General impressions was that the meeting was very good, although
somewhat broad and big. The focused science workshops at the NAASC
and elsewhere will help to hone-in on the coming ALMA revolution
rather than details of current results from today's interferometers.
Carilli was impressed by the relatively young age distrbution.
Another sign that mid to early career folks are recognizing
ALMA as a potential career path, both in terms of research,
and possible future employment.
4) Update on ASAC (Mundy)
Lee Mundy reported on latest Board telecon and ASAC involvement.
They are formulating charges. Massimo gave project status report --
all is going along generally ok. EPO is formalizing an internationally
coordinated plan, and making an ALMA video. First antenna on site 4/06.
Power is an issue -- Grid power is expensive, but less than diesel.
Construction is imminent on the JAO HQ at Vitacure, to be completed
by 09. In interim, they are looking for some more space outside
of El Golf.
5) Update on ALMA Ops, NAASC proposals (Carilli/Hibbard)
NSF review will be tied to Board review of Ops plan
Expect face-to-face in February 06.
Lots of activity on international side, preparing for ESO internal
review in Jan, and responding to initial comments from board subcommittee.
6)Time allocation process update (Carilli/Williams)
summarize ANASAC recommendations
summarize Board subcommittee report
The time allocation process remains under-review. Word from ASAC is that
Japan may have agreed to a single international TAC, but chile may
be bounded by law to stay outside the process. The TAC issue will
come up again in the spring, and will likely become charge in
April time frame, for input into ASAC.
7) ALMA Workshop (Brogan)
Science org is going well, but there is a hotel room issue.
Brogan has some reasonable venues so thinks it will work out.
The limit is 70people. The have telecon Monday Dec 11 to discuss.
9) Next Telecon
Date of next phone meeting according to our current schedule the next one should be on: 2007-01-26 19:00 UT (Friday)